Sunday, August 12, 2007

Just Watch the Fireworks

Yesterday marked my one-year anniversary in Geneva. While I actually arrived on August 12th (today), it was a Saturday and the day of the huge fireworks extravaganza marking the end of the Féte de Geneve. This year was quite a bit nicer (no rain or cold which is what greeted me upon my arrival) and the city was definitely more alive than I’ve seen it since, well, ever.



I met up with Chris, our summer Shema intern, in the afternoon and wandered around by the lake for a little while checking out the flurry of activity. For the most part, it was all food vendors, including this amazing cocktail set-up:



We then headed to Josh and Laura’s for a good-bye dinner for Chris—as he heads back to the OC (for real, bitch) today. It was a great evening of fellowship, fun and fireworks, which we watched from a field in Bellevue, a few miles down the lake from the city. While not quite as impressive (or photogenic) from such a distance, it was still an impressive display (save for the stange section scored to a Christmas medley). The finale (coming at about the 45 minute mark) was amazing, as the until-then dormant Jet d’Eau was brought to life amid a flurry of explosions:



Strange to think that it’s already been a full year since my arrival, yet thankfully not disconcerting. In two weeks I’ll be making my way back to the states for a month-long “sabbatical” before my second year here. I cannot wait for that trip, but I’m quite glad I had the chance last night to sit back and, to quote a Jimmy Eat World song title, “just watch the fireworks.”

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Wednesday, August 01, 2007

The Genevois Usually Turn in by Ten…

…but today is Swiss National Day. I had a great day off, relaxing with a YAGs pool day and cook-out at Sam and Michelle’s house in France (a bit ironic, I know). Anyway, I got home around 9:45 and was soon assaulted with the sound of fireworks from all directions. This continued for an hour or so, which I spent running from the balcony on one side of the apartment to the one on the other to see which were best. It seriously appeared that every small village in the area had their own display, and though none were spectacular, it was nice to have a solid national holiday after spending July 4th away from home.
Here’s one of the pics I snapped from my balcony about 15 minutes ago. Happy Swiss National Day!

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